How to clean with vinegar (Image: Ketsuda Phoutinane)
Cleaning videos abound on social media where people spray, pour and douse their homes in product after product, eliciting a secondhand high – and headache – in me as I mindlessly scroll . Call me a bit of a hippie, but I can’t stand being walloped with the artificial smell of strong products.
For most cleaning jobs at home, I’m of the mind that washing up liquid, vinegar and elbow grease (the old-fashioned sort, not the spray I’ve yet to try) will do the trick. Beyond that, toilet cleaner and dishwasher tablets complete the arsenal. As a yearslong buyer of 5L tubs of white vinegar courtesy of Amazon Subscribe and Save, let me count the ways I love thee, vinegar.
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White vinegar cleans kitchen worktops, mould, washing machines and more (Image: Getty)
10 ways I clean with vinegar
I won’t deny it — the first problem with vinegar is that it smells like vinegar. Even so, it’s the ideal product as someone who hates the smell of cleaning products and values the ‘natural cleaning’ aspect.
It gives me comfort that vinegar is anti-bacterial whilst still being safe to pets and children.
I understand wanting a lovely scented product (Method is my favoutite) but the vinegar smell dissipates, I promise. If it really offends you, a few drops of essential oil like lemon, orange and lavender will make it more fragrant, though at the cost of it being 100% child and pet-safe.
Just make sure not to clean with vinegar and bleach at the same time – you’ll end up making chlorine gas.
1. Cleaning the kitchen
Every surface of my home has or will get spritzed with a vinegar-water solution, but as a jumping off point, I’ll begin with kitchen surfaces.
Just pour together equal parts vinegar and water in a refillable spray bottle, give it a shake and go. I use a plain plastic bottle, but an amber glass bottle would be more aesthetically pleasing to look at everyday.
2. Laundry softener
Vinegar is often touted as a natural replacement for fabric softener by fans from whom I picked up this idea.
Though it lends a lovely ‘fresh laundry’ smell and smooth touch, fabric conditioner is unfortunately counterproductive.
Fabric conditioner coats fibres and reduces fabrics’ moisture-wicking and absorption abilities. In the end, clothes won’t last as long, towels are less absorptive, and the residue makes anything you wash with it more irritating to the skin.
3. Cleaning mould
Vinegar is a highly mould killer. It’s an ideal first step for mould and mildew problems before you bring in bleach and stronger and smellier products from the shop.
The flat I live in is unfortunately quite mouldy, but a single swipe of vinegar-water spray usually does the job.
Don’t miss [KITCHEN] [GARDEN] [MOULD]
Bicarbonate of soda and vinegar are a cleaning power duo (Image: Getty)
4. Preventing and cleaning mould in washing machines
Vinegar also does a fine job of getting rid of mould’s cousin, mildew.
If you’re finding your clothes smell musty, make sure you’re drying the seal thoroughly after every wash and give it a good spritz of your DIY vinegar spray.
I’ve also run empty loads with nothing but a cup of vinegar and 60C water to clean and deodorise my washing machine.
5. Cleaning kitchen and bathroom drains
A 1kg bag of bicarbonate of soda is another item on my Amazon Subscribe and Save list. Bought in bulk, it’s an affordable and effective way to purge kitchen and bathroom drains.
All you have to do is pour the bicarb over the offending drain followed by a glug or spray of vinegar.
The vinegar element can be half watered down, but for really dirty drains or when I can’t be bothered to dilute it, neat vinegar it is.
Upon contact, the bicarb and vinegar fizz quite violently and satisfyingly. Follow with hot water from the tap or kettle and say goodbye to the gunk.
6. Cleaning the kitchen sink
Quartz sinks might be trendier than your bogstandard stainless steel sink, but it’s disgustingly prone to mould.
As a renter, I have no choice in the matter, so I’m left to de-mould the sink every so often with bicarb and vinegar.
Add a bit of water to the bicarb, but not so much that it loses its grittiness. You’ll want to create a scrub that buffs away mould without falling down the side of the sink.
Follow with a spritz of your vinegar water spray and eventually, while working up a sweat, the mould is beaten back for the time being.
clean-shower (Image: Getty)
7. Cleaning shower heads of mildew and limescale
and mildew build up on shower heads even with Scotland’s soft water. As you may have guessed, I tackle it with a mix of half water and vinegar.
Secure the shower head in a bag of the solution and fasten with a rubber band. Leave it to work its magic for about half an hour then wipe it clean.
8. Cleaning after pets
Vinegar has anti-bacterial properties and won’t cause harm to pets – ideal. My ever-present vinegar spray is on hand for cleaning up all pet-related messes and sanitising litter scoops and trays.
If it’s a potty-related accident, I follow up with enzyme cleaner so they aren’t encouraged to make the same mistake again.
9. Cleaning mirrors and glass
Vinegar also makes quick work of mirrors and glass. Spray it with a vinegar-water solution and I swear by wiping them clean with newspapers for a satisfying streak-free shine.
10. Cleaning and sanitising retainer
This may be a bit niche, but anyone who wears a retainer knows they need cleaning.
Vinegar and water zaps away smells and bacteria without being non-toxic, a particular concern for something designed to be worn for hours every night.